The Jimny Wobble

2003 Jimny O2 Convertible.

Recently, I had a failed Track Rod End on the Steering Rod and a King Pin Bearing failure on the o/side Hub. The result was a very severe wheel wobble at 35mph and the car was almost un-driveable. I limped to my local garage at 30mph.

The garage replaced the Track Rod End and also replaced the o/side King Pin Bearings along with the 2 seals.

The car is now driveable but there is a wobble at 45mph which disappears around 50mph and reappears as you brake going through 45mph. The car is fine below 45mph.

I’ve ordered a Shim Kit through the store but also welcome any thoughts on what order I should check and replace components!

My understanding of the system is below…

The Front Axle is attached to the chassis via coil springs and shock absorbers and I’m sure there is a potential for play in these components, but ignoring these for the moment.
The Hubs are secured to the Axle via bearings (marked in Light Blue) and the Hubs pivot on lower and upper King Pin Bearings (4 total, marked in Dark Blue)


The Steering Box is also a source for play – The steering Arm operates the Steering Rod which moves the n/side wheel and this in turn pushes the Track Rod which moves the o/side wheel – The system has 4 Track Rod ends (marked in Green)


To reduce sideways movement of the Axle there is a Panhard Rod which connects from the o/side Chassis to the Axle on the n/side. The Panhard Rod has a Bush at each end (marked in mid Orange) – To reduce roll there is also an Anti-Roll Bar that connects from the Front Chassis Frame to the Axle. The Anti-Roll Bar has 2 Bushes (marked in Brown) and connects to the Axle via Link Rods with pivoting ends (marked in light Orange)


The whole thing looks like this…


So there’s potential for play in…
2 x Wheel Bearings
4 x King Pin Bearings
4 x Track Rod Ends
1 x Steering Box
2 x Panhard Bushes
2 x Anti-Roll Bar Bushes
2 x Link Bars

Is there anything I’ve missed and where should I start? – Any thoughts will be appreciated !!!

Trailing arm bushes (Consider polybushes), Try fitting a steering stabiliser, Wheel balance.
If you have the Suzuki 3 spoke alloys then these are another wobble point.
There are many discussions on here regarding wheel wobble.

www.bigjimny.com/index.php?option=com_co...drivechain&Itemid=37

Welcome to bigjimny.

As SuperGaz says, Leading (or Trailing - I am never sure which way the names go) Bushes at the Chassis end are a favourite wobble source.

My own order of play would be...

1. Kingping Bearings
2. Wheel Bearings
3. Tie rod ends
4. Panhard Rod bushes
5. Trailing Arm bushes

As the first three are detectable by hand it is possible to quickly eliminate them

Martin

I've replaced everything you mention and STILL have the DW (Death Wobble) ... I just live with it??

The only thing i have NOT changed is my wheels and tyres...

maverick wrote: I've replaced everything you mention and STILL have the DW (Death Wobble) ... I just live with it??

The only thing i have changed is my wheels and tyres...

try getting the wheels rebalanced as some places can't cope with large offroad tyres
I've also found tyre pressures can make a difference as well

darthloachie wrote:

maverick wrote: I've replaced everything you mention and STILL have the DW (Death Wobble) ... I just live with it??

The only thing i have not changed is my wheels and tyres...

try getting the wheels rebalanced as some places can't cope with large offroad tyres
I've also found tyre pressures can make a difference as well

I've taken my Jimny to three separate Tyres garages (Kwik Fit, ATS, and a local garage), and everyone just 'laughs' at me ... and I must agree with them, as the amount of bits of rubber missing of each tyre, and the dents in the steel rims, makes it almost impossible to balance with any accuracy!!

Kwik did attempt one wheel, but gave up after 20mins!!

Like i said, I just live with my DW -- its part of my Jimny, I'm used to it now ...

But, after i replaced all the bushes, all the track rod ends, the wheel bearings, the king pins ... i did get better ... definitely worth the effort ... as before it was just horrid (great for biceps/forearm exercise though)